Harvard Law School (HLS) officials wooed neighborhood support for plans to expand their campus last night, even as they await a University decision on a possible move to Allston.

Emphasizing their goal of involving the community early in the process, planners presented an update on their progress to the more than 60 area residents who gathered in Pound Hall.

The presentation was a follow-up to a more sparsely attended meeting with residents in March.

The Law School is depending on community support to be able to meet its short-term space needs—and establishing smooth relations with neighbors would also bolster the case for the school to remain on its current site.

Moving HLS to Allston is one of two options University officials are considering as they sketch out plans for a major new campus on Harvard’s recently-acquired land across the river. The second scenario involves moving some science facilities of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS).

A smattering of residents and city politicians have recently said they would prefer to keep the law school in their backyard—and to have new science labs built elsewhere.

Both HLS and FAS have been strengthening their footholds in Cambridge in recent months, as they each have continued to formulate separate North Yard building plans.

The Harvard Corporation, the University’s highest governing board, approved a massive new science building last month. But HLS planning is at an earlier stage, as a consultant continues to study the feasibility of various development possibilities.

The driving force behind HLS’ plans is the need for more space, particularly for facilities to improve student life.

Ed Tsoi of Tsoi, Kobus and Associates, the local real estate consulting firm leading the feasibility study, said last night that its goal is to evaluate the school’s needs, solicit feedback from community residents and gain support from the city of Cambridge—all before any construction projects begin.

“It’s really upside down from the way you’d normally interact with Harvard,” Tsoi said.

He said it is typical for the public to find out about construction plans only when the University seeks a building permit from the city.

“The problem with that process is that you find out too late,” he said.

“Multi-Dimensional Chess Game”

HLS Dean of Administration Julie Englund said the expansion was necessary to improve student life.